Preston North End midfielder Josh Harrop joins Ipswich Town on loan

The 25-year-old moves to Portman Road in search of a run of first-team football after finding opportunities limited at North End this campaign.

He's started only one Championship game this season and come off the bench in four others, while he played three times in the Carabao Cup.

From North End's point of view, it frees-up room in the 25-man squad and they will get a contribution from League One outfit Ipswich towards his wages.

The long-term hope is that Harrop gets regular football over the next few months and returns to Deepdale in the summer ready to challenge for his place next season.

He signed a new three-year contract last summer.

Stockport-born Harrop joined North End from Manchester United in June 2017.

At United, he scored in his only first-team appearance for them - that a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on the final day of the 2016/17 season.

With him having not been loaned out at all by United during his time in their youth system and reserves, joining PNE was his first taste of the first-team environment on a regular basis.

In the Championship at Preston, he has started 31 games and made 52 appearances as a substitute.

He's scored seven league goals and 13 in all competitions.

A ruptured cruciate ligament suffered in September 2018 saw him miss the majority of the 2018/19 season.

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